Anyone who has followed Pitt this season knew that Pitt was going to do everything they could to get the ball inside this game. They were going to focus on trying to feed the big men and get more rebounds. There wasn’t any secret. Especially against an undersized and young Duquesne team.
The good news: they pulled down the rebounds. The bad news: Water. Boat. Fall. Miss.
Pitt was really, really trying to get the bigs to score — defined in this case as Steve Adams, Talib Zanna, Dante Taylor and J.J. Moore. But it was ugly. At halftime, those four combined to shoot 2-16 (that’s 12.5%). And basically that was what was keeping Duquesne in a very ugly first half for the first 12 minutes or so.
Then Travon Woodall had just about enough of that. Woodall didn’t even attempt a shot until nearly 7 minutes into the game. Offensively he was deferring. Working with James Robinson in the backcourt to get the ball inside. Passing up shots. As was most of the front court. Woodall, Robinson and Lamar Patterson were clearly focused on feeding it inside or penetrating to the basket.
But there is only so long you can feed it inside for nothing but padding rebound stats:
Not shockingly, Pitt shot under 30% in the first half. The defense was solid, though, and Duquesne was held to under 25%.
Woodall asserted himself late in the first half. Scoring 8 points in the final 3 minutes to push Pitt out to a double-digit lead by the half. Now I’ve made no secret of how much I think of Woodall. This and the last game illustrate why he is a leader on the team and so vital. No, not because he scored 38 points in these past two games (on very efficient shooting). Because he only has 5 assists in those games.
James Robinson is clearly the better point guard and as capable as Woodall at penetrating the lane. What he lacks is a 3-point shot. Woodall very quietly has shifted to playing much more off-ball and being the shooting guard. He, once again, is doing whatever he has to do to help the team. By shooting more and passing less, he is being unselfish.
Any basketball future for Woodall involves him playing point guard. Not as a shooting or combo-guard. He’s too small. Too slight in frame. Without any fanfare or public discussion, he pushed that aside for this team. Playing and doing what he is needed to do to help this team.
Woodall is the team captain. He started this season as the clear point guard. And seemlessly moved out of the position for the good of the team. Playing where they need him. The way he works so well with Robinson has been impressive. Deferring to Robinson in running the offense, while being the vocal leader to make sure the rest of the team is in-step.
/end lovefest for Woodall portion
Steven Adams was a force on the boards last night, and even found the basket in the second half. There was a definite boost in Adams confidence as the game went on — not to mention a lot more grabbing rebounds with both hands. Hopefully he carries it over to the next game.
It would be nice if Pitt could get off to a faster start. Something they haven’t done since playing in Madison Square Garden at the end of November. These slow starts are a little unnerving.
The missed put backs are starting to annoy me. This was a major problem last year but has now carried over into this season. The bigs don’t seem to have that “feel” you need under the basket. I’d rather see them get blocked going for the dunk rather than missing 3 consecutive bunnies.
That said Adams did take a step forward last night in his game..although a small one it’s promising.
25 days and 4 more games against cupcakes till the season really start.
Can’t wait to see Pitt play the 1-7 Kennesaw St. Owls (who lost to Georgia Southern 62-46).
Also Durand Johnson is supposed to be a knock down shooter…with the way lamar and tray have been shooting.. Pitt looks like they have a decent outside threat.
it is funny there is a on crigs list a add
for tenn head football coach.
tenn has been turned down bye so many coachs that it is now a joke.
How the mighty have fallen.
Phil Fulmer had them in the top 5 for about 5 or 6 years in a row.
THIS WEEK’S POLL
Ranking the best home-court advantages in the country (voters: myself, Andy Katz, Dana O’Neil, Fran Fraschilla), ordered by total points with number of first-place votes in parentheses:
1. Allen Fieldhouse, Kansas (3): 39
2. Cameron Indoor Stadium, Duke (1): 37
3. Assembly Hall, Indiana: 24
4. Carrier Dome, Syracuse: 23
5. The Kennel, Gonzaga: 18
6. Viejas Arena, San Diego State: 17
7. Rupp Arena, Kentucky: 16
8. The Pit, New Mexico: 14
9. Breslin Center, Michigan State: 8
10. Koch Arena, Wichita State: 6
Also receiving votes: Peterson Events Center, Pittsburgh, 5; Kohl Center, Wisconsin, 4; Bramlage Coliseum, Kansas State, 3; McKale Center, Arizona, 2; Bud Walton Arena, Arkansas, 2; Gallagher-Iba Arena, Oklahoma State, 1; CFSB Center, Murray State, 1.
now i can think abought recruiting and laugh
at tenn coach search and wonder if butch jones is leaveing cenci life is good.
“Paul’s going to stay at Pitt,” Alvarez said at a news conference in Madison, Wis. “Paul has already come out and said he is committed to Pitt, and I think he should be committed to Pitt.
Read more: link to triblive.com
Thank God the annual coaching carousel was getting a bit much.
We can concentrate on more important things, like
Pitt script and the old uni colors. lol
HTP !
Wisky has (or did) a Bielema
Pgh. has a Bylsma (as in Dan)
pretty close, strange last names.
And Bielema gets hired by a former Pitt AD which could have caused even more of a mess at Pitt.
Good luck to Wisconsin and one Mr. Barry Alvarez.
Seems like a really good guy which I’m sure he is.
College football needs more people like him in positions of leadership.
We wish him well in his coaching search and his return to the sideline for their Rose Bowl game
with Stanford.
Now go and win Bucky !
here are some players pitt wanted and my now
have a shot at becuse the schools lost there
coach or got a new coach.
1 Buddy Brown LB commited to temple
2 Cory Clement RB
3 Donlad Rocker OT 6 foot 4 296 pound florida int
4 Terrish Webb wr kent state
5 Blake Mcclain DB kentucky
these players will all be back in play and pitt
offered all of them in the past.
He would be smart to reconsider his decision to back out of Pitt.
Pitt is the Perfect Fit!
maybe now he re thinks things now that there coach left.
Since Clement is a Wisconsin commit that would mean he has no top 3 right? Clement would help give Shell a good push and vice-versa.
He has to go up strong with both hands and snatch boards with the authority he went up on that one dunk last night.
JC DT Lyndon Tulimasealii to vist on 1/17/2013
6 foot 4 290 pounds.
LB 3 star nigel harris to vist on 1/11/2013
and we have offered another QB Asiantii Woulard
from FL. 6 foot 4 200 pounds.
Personally, thought he was the best of the lot.
Don’t think we got a chance here. A lot of competition for his services.
“You know what the plan is and it starts with those big palookas upfront.”
Barry Alvarez – Wisconsin 12/6/12
1) PITT should stay away from Clements (never taken back when they back out on you and go with another date)
2) more than one factor contributed to Chryst staying starting with a) Chryst character b) Alavarez feeling awkward about pushing hard for him to get PITT job as PITT was probably cool on him initially but Alavarez convinced them c) Nordy and Jerry putting that 6 M buyout clause in place
3) will be really nice to see HC take team through bowl prep and game
Atta boy. Class begets class. You are right.
Adams needs to use his butt. Standing straight up in the post won’t work in the USA. You gotta push people with your caboose.
This hoops team has more talent than grit. I want to see more grit.
Instead of the “City Game” why not have a four team tourney with Pitt, WVU, Duquesne and Penn State (or Robert Morris)at the Consol? 4 games (play a consolation game)2 nights showcasing the regions Div 1 schools. Wouldn’t that be a tad better than beating up on the Dukes every year?
Penn State doesn’t want to play Pitt anymore. The coach cancelled the series after Pitt won by 37 at the Pete if I recall. Doubt they ever resume that.
In the 70’s, they did have something called the “Steel Bowl”. I believe it was 4 teams also, and I believe it was Pitt always in it, two of PSU, Duq, and WVU, and finally an at large national team.
I could be wrong about the format.
Would love something like that.
Dixon likes NYC so we need to go there for something.
This team has no pure shooter at all, maybe aside from Tray last night(5-8 3’s)